Jared Rivers

Coming into the first semi against an under the radar Uni Blues, Collegians went down 24 points in the 1st quarter and wrestled the lead back which went back and forth for the most of the game.

However in the 4 quarter with 20 minutes gone, Uni blues kicked 4 consecutive goals to go up 81 - 59.

With all hope seemingly looking lost, Rivers made some tactical adjustments and threw the magnets around.

Goals from David Mirra, Lachie Ferguson, Max Pincheback and an epic last minute goal from ruckman Ben Woodfull sealed a famous victory and miraculous 2 point win (84 - 82) to book a spot in the 2023 VAFA Premier A Grand Final.

Unfortunately the grand final was not a nail biter compared to the semi and ultimately Collegians absolutely trounced St Kevins 130 - 45 with Jared steering Collegians to their 18th A Grade flag leading to redemption and making amends for 2022.

A 6 goal 1st quarter and 7 goal 3rd quarter dashed all hope for St Kevins and the game looked well and truly settled by half time.

The margin was the 2nd highest in VAFA A grade grand final history.

Goals coming Lachie Ferguson 5, David Mirra 5, Ed Greene 2, Viv Michie 2, Kenny Ong, Josh Watson, Campbell Walker, Jim Bazzani, Will Pocknee.

Considering when Jared was appointed in 2021, Collegians were languishing in the relegation zone, for Rivers to then win the premiership is nothing short of a masterclass.

Rivers returned to form the following season, becoming the premier defender of Melbourne Football Club, and playing his 50th career game against Port Adelaide at the MCG in Round 13.

Rivers is considered a master of the one percenter.

Jared Rivers (born 18 October 1984) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Melbourne Football Club and Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

As a child Rivers supported the Sydney Swans, and cites Tony Lockett and Paul Kelly as his childhood heroes.

He attended Caritas College until Year 10 and Sacred Heart College Senior, Adelaide afterwards.

He played junior football for the South Augusta Bulldogs Football club.

He won a premiership with the club in 2000 at the age of 15, playing in the Spencer Gulf League.

He was spotted by North Adelaide Football Club and began playing seniors under coach Darel Hart.

He was considered as a potential top ten draft pick, and was selected to play for South Australia's Under 18 team in the National competition.

He injured his wrist in the lead up to this match, but scouts from the Melbourne Demons nonetheless selected him as the 27th pick overall in the 2002 AFL draft.

Rivers played three games in his debut season, but was praised for his job on Port Adelaide's Warren Tredrea in his second match.

After a good performance in the preseason, Rivers won a place in the first team, and was subsequently nominated for Round 3 of National Bank Rising Star in 2004.

He continued his good form throughout the season right until the Demons' loss to Essendon in the Elimination Final.

In the week leading up to the Final, he was awarded the 2004 Rising Star award, chosen unanimously by the nine judges.

His season in 2005 was less successful, with poor form and injury culminating in him being dropped to the Sandringham team towards the end of the season.

He was also suspended for two matches after striking Hawthorn's Ben Dixon.

He was able to move forward on many occasions in the 2006 season, including the Queens Birthday Match when he kicked his first two goals in AFL football.

Rivers was injured at the beginning of the 2007 season, and had little time on the field, suffering from a potentially season-threatening groin injury.

In 2008 Rivers was injured again, with a torn abdominal against the Magpies in the annual Queens Birthday match.

However Rivers then lead Collegians on a 10 game winning streak to finish in 2nd spot for a place in the 1st Semi Final for a spot in the grandfinal against St Kevins.

Despite being up by 16 points at half time, key injuries to key players Kenny Ong and Luke Mcleary lead to a knockout and a further preliminary final loss to Brighton ending the season prematurely.

However gaining momentum from the 2022 and using the final losses as fuel and motivation, Collegians swept through the A-grade section 2023 winning 15 games and only losing 3 in the home and away season with the most points scored (1707) and least points conceded (945).

On 18 October 2012, Rivers, an unrestricted free agent under the AFL's new free agency system, signed a 2-year contract with the Geelong Football Club.

In August 2015, he announced his retirement from the AFL due to chronic knee problems.

Two months after his retirement, Rivers joined Collingwood's coaching staff as a development coach, replacing Craig McRae as part of a coaching restructure.

A year after joining Collingwood's coaching staff, Rivers was appointed coach of the VFL team, after Dale Tapping left to take up a role as an assistant coach with the Brisbane Lions.

Finishing 1st with astounding 180.63% percentage.

2 losses coming from Brighton without a full squad and the other coming on a Sunday to Uni Blues.

Rivers coached the VFL team until the end of the 2019 season.

in August 2020, Rivers joined Collegians Football Club in the VAFA as their head coach.

After winning the first 3 games of the season, Collegians suffered a 5 game loss streak, in the 2022 VAFA A grade season.